Row cultivator with laterally moveable tool bar

Abstract

A row cultivator 10 is drawn behind a prime mover illustrated by the wheels 11 with rows defined by mounds illustrated in terms of the lines 12 before the cultivator and the reshaped mounds being illustrated by the lines 13 located behind the cultivator. As can be seen the rows before the cultivator include an irregularity. In this case there are wide rows shown at 14 and relatively narrow rows shown at 15. The cultivator 10 includes a fixed rigid tool bar 16 and a moveable tool bar 17 travelling behind the fixed tool bar 16 and pivotable relative thereto via connecting bars 18, 19 and 20. Where the rows to be reshaped are all evenly spaced the connecting bars 18, 19 and 20 would be positioned parallel to the rows. The moveable tool bar 17 is displaced to the left. This displacement arises as a consequence of probes 21 and 22 having sensed the irregularity arising from the wider rows 14 and the narrow rows 15 thus causing the lateral displacement of the tool bar 17 to the left to thereby maintain the tool bar 17 centrally between the probes 21 and 22. The tool bars 16 and 17 carry cultivating tools 23 and located at spaced intervals along the tool bars in order to cultivate the rows. The considered effect of the two tool bars as shown is to give evenly spaced reshaped rows.

I claim: 
     
       1. A row cultivator adapted to be drawn behind a prime mover to reshape existing alternating mounds and furrows, the cultivator comprising a transversely extending laterally moveable tool bar having spaced cultivating tools giving rise to alternating, evenly spaced longitudinally extending mounds and furrows as the tools are drawn through soil in a longitudinal direction, the tool bar being mounted for transverse displacement and there being provided sensing means and tool bar drive means for causing lateral displacement of said moveable tool bar in response to said sensing means sensing an irregularity in spacing of the existing mounds and furrows, the lateral displacement of the moveable tool bar giving rise to reshaped mounds and furrows, the reshaped mounds and furrows being absent the irregularity. 
     
     
       2. The row cultivator according to claim 1, wherein the row cultivator employs means providing a rigid platform relative to which the moveable tool bar is moved laterally. 
     
     
       3. The row cultivator according to claim 1, wherein the row cultivator employs means providing a rigid platform relative to which the moveable tool bar is moved laterally, the means providing the rigid platform being one or more extra tool bars carrying cultivating tools in advance of the moveable tool bar, there being provided means holding the one or more extra tool bars rigid against transverse movement. 
     
     
       4. The row cultivator according to claim 1, wherein the row cultivator employs means providing a rigid platform relative to which the moveable tool bar is moved laterally, the means providing the rigid platform being one or more extra tool bars carrying cultivating tools in advance of the moveable tool bar, there being provided means holding the one or more extra tool bars rigid against transverse movement, the means holding the one or more extra tool bars rigid against transverse movement comprising one or more coulter wheels travelling behind and coupled to the one or more extra tool bars and anchored in soil against lateral movement as the cultivator is used. 
     
     
       5. The row cultivator according to claim 1, wherein the laterally moveable tool bar has opposed lateral extremities and the sensing means comprises respective probes travelling in respective furrows at each of the extremities of the laterally moveable tool bar, the probes being spaced from one another by a spacing and there being differential monitoring means monitoring the spacing between the respective probes and a defined reference position such that the monitoring means monitors lateral displacement of the probes about the defined reference position, where both probes are the same distance from the defined reference position displacement of the moveable tool bar will not arise but where a differential spacing arises the tool bar moves either right or left in response to detection of the differential spacing in order to maintain the differential as near as practicable to zero. 
     
     
       6. The row cultivator according to claim 1, wherein the laterally moveable tool bar has opposed lateral extremities and the sensing means comprises respective probes travelling in respective furrows at each of the extremities of the laterally moveable tool bar, the probes being spaced from one another by a spacing and there being differential monitoring means monitoring the spacing between the respective probes and a defined reference position such that the monitoring means monitors lateral displacement of the probes about the defined reference position, where both probes are the same distance from the defined reference position displacement of the moveable tool bar will not arise but where a differential spacing arises the tool bar moves either right or left in response to detection of the differential spacing in order to maintain the differential as near as practicable to zero, the defined reference position being selected so that the moveable tool bar is constantly moved so that it is generally centred between the probes. 
     
     
       7. The row cultivator according to claim 1, wherein the row cultivator employs means providing a rigid platform relative to which the moveable tool bar is moved laterally, the tool bar drive means comprising a double acting hydraulic cylinder assembly and cylinder assembly control means operatively disposed to move the moveable tool bar relative to the rigid platform. 
     
     
       8. The row cultivator according to claim 1, wherein the row cultivator employs means providing a rigid platform relative to which the moveable tool bar is moved laterally, the moveable tool bar having opposed lateral extremities and the sensing means comprises respective probes travelling in respective furrows at each of the extremities of the moveable tool bar, the probes being spaced from one another by a spacing and there being differential monitoring means monitoring the spacing between the respective probes and a defined reference position such that the monitoring means monitors lateral displacement of the probes about the defined reference position, where both probes are the same distance from the defined reference position displacement of the moveable tool bar will not arise but where a differential spacing arises the tool bar moves either right or left in response to detection of the differential spacing in order to maintain the differential as near as practicable to zero. 
     
     
       9. The row cultivator according to claim 1, wherein the row cultivator employs means providing a rigid platform relative to which the moveable tool bar is moved laterally, the means providing the rigid platform being one or more extra tool bars carrying cultivating tools in advance of the moveable tool bar, there being provided means holding the one or more extra tool bars rigid against transverse movement, the moveable tool bar having opposed lateral extremities and the sensing means comprises respective probes travelling in respective furrows at each of the extremities of the moveable tool bar, the probes being spaced from one another by a spacing and there being differential monitoring means monitoring the spacing between the respective probes and a defined reference position such that the monitoring means monitors lateral displacement of the probes about the defined reference position, where both probes are the same distance from the defined reference position displacement of the moveable tool bar will not arise but where a differential spacing arises the tool bar moves either right or left in response to detection of the differential spacing in order to maintain the differential as near as practicable to zero. 
     
     
       10. The row cultivator according to claim 1, wherein the row cultivator employs means providing a rigid platform relative to which the moveable tool bar is moved laterally, the means providing the rigid platform being one or more extra tool bars carrying cultivating tools in advance of the moveable tool bar, there being provided means holding the one or more extra tool bars rigid against transverse movement, the means holding the one or more extra tool bars rigid against transverse movement comprising one or more coulter wheels travelling behind and coupled to the one or more extra tool bars and anchored in soil against lateral movement as the cultivator is used, the moveable tool bar having opposed lateral extremities and the sensing means comprises respective probes travelling in respective furrows at each of the extremities of the moveable tool bar, the probes being spaced from one another by a spacing and there being differential monitoring means monitoring the spacing between the respective probes and a defined reference position such that the monitoring means monitors lateral displacement of the probes about the defined reference position, where both probes are the same distance from the defined reference position displacement of the moveable tool bar will not arise but where a differential spacing arises the tool bar moves either right or left in response to detection of the differential spacing in order to maintain the differential as near as practicable to zero. 
     
     
       11. The row cultivator according to claim 1, wherein the row cultivator employs means providing a rigid platform relative to which the moveable tool bar is moved laterally, the laterally moveable tool bar having opposed lateral extremities and the sensing means comprises respective probes travelling in respective furrows at each of the extremities of the laterally moveable tool bar, the probes being spaced from one another by a spacing and there being differential monitoring means monitoring the spacing between the respective probes and a defined reference position such that the monitoring means monitors lateral displacement of the probes about the defined reference position, where both probes are the same distance from the defined reference position displacement of the moveable tool bar will not arise but where a differential spacing arises the tool bar moves either right or left in response to detection of the differential spacing in order to maintain the differential as near as practicable to zero, the defined reference position being selected so that the moveable tool bar is constantly moved so that it is generally centred between the probes. 
     
     
       12. The row cultivator according to claim 1, wherein the row cultivator employs means providing a rigid platform relative to which the moveable tool bar is moved laterally, the means providing the rigid platform being one or more extra tool bars carrying cultivating tools in advance of the moveable tool bar, there being provided means holding the one or more extra tool bars rigid against transverse movement, the laterally moveable tool bar having opposed lateral extremities and the sensing means comprises respective probes travelling in respective furrows at each of the extremities of the laterally moveable tool bar, the probes being spaced from one another by a spacing and there being differential monitoring means monitoring the spacing between the respective probes and a defined reference position such that the monitoring means monitors lateral displacement of the probes about the defined reference position, where both probes are the same distance from the defined reference position displacement of the moveable tool bar will not arise but where a differential spacing arises the tool bar moves either right or left in response to detection of the differential spacing in order to maintain the differential as near as practicable to zero, the defined reference position being selected so that the moveable tool bar is constantly moved so that it is generally centred between the probes. 
     
     
       13. The row cultivator according to claim 1, wherein the row cultivator employs means providing a rigid platform relative to which the moveable tool bar is moved laterally, the means providing the rigid platform being one or more extra tool bars carrying cultivating tools in advance of the moveable tool bar, there being provided means holding the one or more extra tool bars rigid against transverse movement, the means holding the one or more extra tool bars rigid against transverse movement comprising one or more coulter wheels travelling behind and coupled to the one or more extra tool bars and anchored in soil against lateral movement as the cultivator is used, the laterally moveable tool bar having opposed lateral extremities and the sensing means comprises respective probes travelling in respective furrows at each of the extremities of the laterally moveable tool bar, the probes being spaced from one another by a spacing and there being differential monitoring means monitoring the spacing between the respective probes and a defined reference position such that the monitoring means monitors lateral displacement of the probes about the defined reference position, where both probes are the same distance from the defined reference position displacement of the moveable tool bar will not arise but where a differential spacing arises the tool bar moves either right or left in response to detection of the differential spacing in order to maintain the differential as near as practicable to zero, the defined reference position being selected so that the moveable tool bar is constantly moved so that it is generally centred between the probes. 
     
     
       14. The row cultivator according to claim 1, wherein the row cultivator employs means providing a rigid platform relative to which the moveable tool bar is moved laterally, the means providing the rigid platform being one or more extra tool bars carrying cultivating tools in advance of the moveable tool bar, there being provided means holding the one or more extra tool bars rigid against transverse movement, the tool bar drive means comprising a double acting hydraulic cylinder assembly and cylinder assembly control means operatively disposed to move the moveable tool bar relative to the rigid platform means. 
     
     
       15. The row cultivator according to claim 1, wherein the row cultivator employs means providing a rigid platform relative to which the moveable tool bar is moved laterally, the means providing the rigid platform being one or more extra tool bars carrying cultivating tools in advance of the moveable tool bar, there being provided means holding the one or more extra tool bars rigid against transverse movement, the means holding the one or more extra tool bars rigid against transverse movement comprising one or more coulter wheels travelling behind and coupled to the one or more extra tool bars and anchored in soil against lateral movement as the cultivator is used, the tool bar drive means comprising a double acting hydraulic cylinder assembly and cylinder assembly control means operatively disposed to move the moveable tool bar relative to the rigid platform. 
     
     
       16. The row cultivator according to claim 1, wherein the laterally moveable tool bar has opposed lateral extremities and the sensing means comprises respective probes travelling in respective furrows at each of the extremities of the laterally moveable tool bar, the probes being spaced from one another by a spacing and there being differential monitoring means monitoring the spacing between the respective probes and a defined reference position such that the monitoring means monitors lateral displacement of the probes about the defined reference position, where both probes are the same distance from the defined reference position displacement of the moveable tool bar will not arise but where a differential spacing arises the tool bar moves either right or left in response to detection of the differential spacing in order to maintain the differential as near as practicable to zero, the tool bar drive means comprising a double acting hydraulic cylinder assembly and cylinder assembly control means operatively disposed to move the moveable tool bar. 
     
     
       17. The a row cultivator according to claim 1, wherein the laterally moveable tool bar has opposed lateral extremities and the sensing means comprises respective probes travelling in respective furrows at each of the extremities of the laterally moveable tool bar, the probes being spaced from one another by a spacing and there being differential monitoring means monitoring the spacing between the respective probes and a defined reference position such that the monitoring means monitors lateral displacement of the probes about the defined reference position, where both probes are the same distance from the defined reference position displacement of the moveable tool bar will not arise but where a differential spacing arises the tool bar moves either right or left in response to detection of the differential spacing in order to maintain the differential as near as practicable to zero, the defined reference position being selected so that the moveable tool bar is constantly moved so that it is generally centred between the probes, the tool bar drive means comprising a double acting hydraulic cylinder assembly and cylinder assembly control means operatively disposed to move the moveable tool bar. 
     
     
       18. The row cultivator according to claim 1, wherein the row cultivator employs means providing a rigid platform relative to which the moveable tool bar is moved laterally, the moveable tool bar having opposed lateral extremities and the sensing means comprises respective probes travelling in respective furrows at each of the lateral extremities of the moveable tool bar, the probes being spaced from one another by a spacing and there being differential monitoring means monitoring the spacing between the respective probes and a defined reference position such that the monitoring means monitors lateral displacement of the probes about the defined reference position, where both probes are the same distance from the defined reference position displacement of the moveable tool bar will not arise but where a differential spacing arises the tool bar moves either right or left in response to detection of the differential spacing in order to maintain the differential as near as practicable to zero, the tool bar drive means comprising a double acting hydraulic cylinder assembly and cylinder assembly control means operatively disposed to move the moveable tool bar relative to the rigid platform. 
     
     
       19. The row cultivator according to claim 1, wherein the row cultivator employs means providing a rigid platform relative to which the moveable tool bar is moved laterally, the means providing the rigid platform being one or more extra tool bars carrying cultivating tools in advance of the moveable tool bar, there being provided means holding the one or more extra tool bars rigid against transverse movement, the moveable tool bar having opposed lateral extremities and the sensing means comprises respective probes travelling in respective furrows at each of the lateral extremities of the moveable tool bar, the probes being spaced from one another by a spacing and there being differential monitoring means monitoring the spacing between the respective probes and a defined reference position such that the monitoring means monitors lateral displacement of the probes about the defined reference position, where both probes are the same distance from the defined reference position displacement of the moveable tool bar will not arise but where a differential spacing arises the tool bar moves either right or left in response to detection of the differential spacing in order to maintain the differential as near as practicable to zero. 
     
     
       20. The row cultivator according to claim 1, wherein the row cultivator employs means providing a rigid platform relative to which the moveable tool bar is moved laterally, the means providing the rigid platform being one or more extra tool bars carrying cultivating tools in advance of the moveable tool bar, there being provided means holding the one or more extra tool bars rigid against transverse movement, the means holding the one or more extra tool bars rigid against transverse movement comprising one or more coulter wheels travelling behind and coupled to the one or more extra tool bars and anchored in soil against lateral movement as the cultivator is used, the moveable tool bar having opposed lateral extremities and the sensing means comprises respective probes travelling in respective furrows at each of the extremities of the moveable tool bar, the probes being spaced from one another by a spacing and there being differential monitoring means monitoring the spacing between the respective probes and a defined reference position such that the monitoring means monitors lateral displacement of the probes about the defined reference position, where both probes are the same distance from the defined reference position displacement of the moveable tool bar will not arise but where a differential spacing arises the tool bar moves either right or left in response to detection of the differential spacing in order to maintain the differential as near as practicable to zero, the tool bar drive means comprising a double acting hydraulic cylinder assembly and cylinder assembly control means operatively disposed to move the moveable tool bar relative to the rigid platform. 
     
     
       21. The row cultivator according to claim 1, wherein the row cultivator employs means providing a rigid platform relative to which the moveable tool bar is moved laterally, the laterally moveable tool bar having opposed lateral extremities and the sensing means comprises respective probes travelling in respective furrows at each of the extremities of the laterally moveable tool bar, the probes being spaced from one another by a spacing and there being differential monitoring means monitoring the spacing between the respective probes and a defined reference position such that the monitoring means monitors lateral displacement of the probes about the defined reference position, where both probes are the same distance from the defined reference position displacement of the moveable tool bar will not arise but where a differential spacing arises the tool bar moves either right or left in response to detection of the differential spacing in order to maintain the differential as near as practicable to zero, the defined reference position being selected so that the moveable tool bar is constantly moved so that it is generally centred between the probes, the tool bar drive means comprising a double acting hydraulic cylinder assembly and cylinder assembly control means operatively disposed to move the moveable tool bar relative to the rigid platform. 
     
     
       22. The row cultivator according to claim 1, wherein the row cultivator employs means providing a rigid platform relative to which the moveable tool bar is moved laterally; the means providing the rigid platform being one or more extra tool bars carrying cultivating tools in advance of the moveable tool bar, there being provided means holding the one or more extra tool bars rigid against transverse movement, the laterally moveable tool bar having opposed lateral extremities and the sensing means comprises respective probes travelling in respective furrows at each of the extremities of the laterally moveable tool bar, the probes being spaced from one another by a spacing and there being differential monitoring means monitoring the spacing between the respective probes and a defined reference position such that the monitoring means monitors lateral displacement of the probes about the defined reference position, where both probes are the same distance from the defined reference position displacement of the moveable tool bar will not arise but where a differential spacing arises the tool bar moves either right or left in response to detection of the differential spacing in order to maintain the differential as near as practicable to zero, the defined reference position being selected so that the moveable tool bar is constantly moved so that it is generally centred between the probes, the tool bar drive means comprising a double acting hydraulic cylinder assembly and cylinder assembly control means operatively disposed to move the moveable tool bar relative to the rigid platform means. 
     
     
       23. The row cultivator according to claim 1, wherein the row cultivator employs means providing a rigid platform relative to which the moveable tool bar is moved laterally, the means providing the rigid platform being one or more extra tool bars carrying cultivating tools in advance of the moveable tool bar, there being provided means holding the one or more extra tool bars rigid against transverse movement, the means holding the one or more extra tool bars rigid against transverse movement comprising one or more coulter wheels travelling behind and coupled to the one or more extra tool bars and anchored in soil against lateral movement as the cultivator is used, the laterally moveable tool bar having opposed lateral extremities and the sensing means comprises respective probes travelling in respective furrows at each of the extremities of the laterally moveable tool bar, the probes being spaced from one another by a spacing and there being differential monitoring means monitoring the spacing between the respective probes and a defined reference position such that the monitoring means monitors lateral displacement of the probes about the defined reference position, where both probes are the same distance from the defined reference position displacement of the moveable tool bar will not arise but where a differential spacing arises the tool bar moves either right or left in response to detection of the differential spacing in order to maintain the differential as near as practicable to zero, the defined reference position being selected so that the moveable tool bar is constantly moved so that it is generally centred between the probes, the tool bar drive means comprising a double acting hydraulic cylinder assembly and cylinder assembly control means operatively disposed to move the moveable tool bar relative to the rigid platform.